In an attempt to stop the Government from further increasing the Air Passenger Duty (APD) this November, ABTA is calling on travellers to write to their MPs.

APD, which currently raises £2 billion for the Government, was introduced in 1994 and has seen several increases since.

Prior to 1 November 2009, 

fees were set at Reduced Rates (economy seats)
£10 for European destinations and £40 for all other destinations. Standard Rates (premium seats, including business class only airlines)
 were £20 for European destinations and
 £80 for all other destinations. On 1 November 2009, four geographical bands were introduced based on the distance from London.

The 2009 APD duty applicable for a single flight was levied at:

• Band A – flights to Europe £11
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £45
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £50
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £60
• For Premium seats the charges are double.

A further increase is set to be introduced this November with the fees increasing to:

• Band A – flights to Europe £12
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £60
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £75
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £85

For Premium seats the charges are double at:

• Band A – flights to Europe £24
• Band B – flights of up to 4,000 miles £120
• Band C – flights to the Caribbean £150
• Band D – flights to Australia and New Zealand £170

In 2009 the Telegraph launched a campaign to get the APD scrapped. To find out more, and to add your name to their petition click here.

The CAA is once again highlighting the need for passengers to be aware of items that are banned from being carried on a plane after a man was convicted of attempting to take dangerous chemicals on to an aircraft at Manchester Airport last year.

The man was found guilty of ‘recklessly acting in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft’ after he pleaded guilty to attempting to take corrosive and flammable chemicals on to a plane.

Geoff Leach, Manager of the CAA’s Dangerous Goods Office, said: “Unlike items restricted for reasons of security (eg knives and scissors) which may be carried safely in checked (hold) baggage, “dangerous goods” such as the chemicals involved in this instance can pose the same danger to the aircraft and its occupants wherever they are carried and consequently must not be carried by passengers at all.

“It is vital that passengers check the list of permitted items well in advance of travel to determine whether any unusual items they wish to carry are allowed. Unfortunately, incidents like this cause delays and disruption to the travelling public as well as endangering the safety of passengers and staff at UK airports throughout the year. “

Dangerous goods that must NOT be taken on board an aircraft are:

• explosives, such as fireworks, flares, toy gun caps;
• gases, such as culinary blowtorches, camping or compressed gas cylinders, tear gas, mace or CS gas devices;
• flammable materials such as petrol, lighter fuel, paint, thinners, non-safety matches, firelighters;
• poisons, such as weed killers, insecticides; and · corrosives, such as filled car batteries.

Passengers requiring further information about what they can and can’t transport on aircraft can contact the CAA’s Dangerous Goods Office on 01293 573900.

Flybe has confirmed it is the first airline in the UK to be able to fly within the new Time Limited Zone.

Under the new regulations the airline will be able to fly through denser volcanic ash than previously approved – 0.004 grams per cubic metre compared with 0.002 grams per cubic metre.

Commenting on the news Flybe’s Chief Executive, Jim French said: “The CAA called upon the industry to bring forward thoroughly researched proposals to safely improve the ability to fly in the vicinity of low level volcanic ash concentrations.

Flybe worked closely with the Met Office, Bombardier and Pratt & Whitney Canada to develop the proposals which have today been endorsed by the CAA. Flybe’s overriding concern is always safety, and these new rules arise from a proven process of safety management within the company and the industry which helps make air travel the safest form of public transport.

The application of these new rules in the last 48 hours would have reduced our levels of cancellation from 380 flights to 21, or put another way, only 3% of our programme would have been affected. This level of cancellation would be more akin to a weather event and therefore much more bearable for customers and the industry.”

For Manchester airport hotels or to compare and book Manchester airport parking using an online instant airport parking price checker click on the link.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced the introduction of a new Time Limited Zone (TLZ) which will allow flights to take place though denser ash cloud than previously permitted.

Following discussions with airlines, regulators, and aircraft and engine manufacturers the new Time Limited Zone, which effectively doubles the amount of permissible ash grammes per cubic metre of air, will reduce the need for airspace closures caused by volcanic ash.

New procedures and the introduction of the zone will take place from midday today, 18 May 2010.

To operate in the new zone airlines need to present the CAA with a safety case that includes the agreement of their aircraft and engine manufacturers. UK airline Flybe is the first to achieve this and will therefore be able to use the new zone from midday.

Announcing the change Andrew Haines, Civil Aviation Authority Chief Executive, said: “I’m pleased that the huge efforts we’re all making across aviation to keep flying safe whilst minimising the disruption from the volcano have resulted in further progress. Unprecedented situations require new measures and the challenge faced should not be underestimated. Firstly because the standard default procedure for aircraft that encounter ash, to avoid it completely, doesn’t work in our congested airspace. Secondly, the world’s top scientists tell us that we must not simply assume the effects of this volcano will be the same as others elsewhere. Its proximity to the UK, the length of time it is continuously erupting and the weather patterns are all exceptional features.

“The answer can only come, therefore, from aircraft and engine manufacturers establishing what level of ash their products can safely tolerate. At an international aviation conference we held last Thursday, attended by all the leading airline operators this approach was welcomed and supported. The manufacturers are co-operating fully and urgently in this task and the new zone is an excellent example of how the industry should be working to move the issue forward and I commend Flybe for its work.”

The introduction of the Time Limited Zone is based on measurements collected from test flights through the current ash cloud over the past month, as well as on data and evidence compiled and analysed from previous volcanic ash incidents combined with additional analysis from manufacturers.

The ash cloud is back causing disruption to more flights today. Following the closure of many UK airports over the weekend, the cloud is now affecting airports in Northern Ireland, Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and South West England.

A no-fly zone has been imposed by the CAA for airports in these areas until at least 13:00 hours today.

Airports within the no-fly zones include all those in Northern Ireland, Ronaldsway, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Inverness and Northern Scotland, Cardiff, Swansea, Bristol and Farnborough. Southampton is also closed with flights not expected to start until at least 13:00.

Passengers are advised to contact their airline to check the status of their flights.

Due to a volcanic ash cloud, NATS has advised that a no-fly zone is in place in the West of Scotland, some airports in the Western Isles, and Northern Ireland until at least 13:00.

The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has also imposed restrictions on all flights operating into and out of Ireland until 13.00 on Tuesday 4th May.

Due to the volcanic ash cloud UK controlled airspace is to remain closed until at least 01:00 hours on Tuesday 20 April (local time).

The next update on restrictions is expected around 15:00 hours today.

Flybe has announced it is increasing capacity and flights on a number of key routes from Gatwick and Southampton airports to assist BA passengers uncertain if their flights will be affected by the proposed strike action.

The airline has announced it will operate 262 flights across 10 routes to and from London Gatwick including seven a day to Jersey; four a day to Newcastle and three a day to Aberdeen and Dusseldorf during the strike.

To book Gatwick meet and greet and Gatwick taxi transfers click on the links.

The UK Border Agency is warning that travellers passing through UK ports could face possible delays and disruption due to strike action by the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS).

The strike action is taking place on Monday 8 March and Tuesday 9 March.

Lin Homer, the Border Agency’s Chief Executive, said: ‘We are disappointed that PCS members have voted in favour of industrial action. It means that the travelling public are likely to suffer disruption and delays at border control as a result of this two-day action.

‘We have robust plans in place to ensure that the essential work of the UK Border Agency is maintained and the border remains secure. UK border security will not be compromised by this industrial action.

‘We expect that people travelling into the country may experience some delays at border control, but we will work hard to keep these to a minimum and hope that passengers will welcome the commitment of those staff who will be working despite the strike action to ensure they are seen as quickly as possible.

BAA is advising passengers to have their travel documents, including passports, ready and to use automatic e-passport gates where available.

Southampton Airport’s longest serving operator is celebrating 40 years of flights from the airport.

Aurigny Air Services began flights between Alderney and Southampton in 1970 and since then has flown 1.1 million passengers on more than 100,000 flights between Alderney and Southampton.

Malcolm Hart, Managing Director of Aurigny Air Services, commented: “For 40 years Southampton has played a vital part in connecting Channel Islanders with the mainland and we are extremely proud to be its longest serving airline. To date, Aurigny has made almost 106,000 trips between Southampton and Alderney, covering around 9.5 million miles, and has carried well over 1 million passengers. These figures alone illustrate the importance that islanders attach to this route.”

To book Southampton airport parking and Southampton airport hotels click on the links.